[Ezio]

i must say the car inside and out looks pretty dam good.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicl.../bodystyle-SDN

[Swizzie7]

Interior is sexy

[Crimson92]

It may just be the mobile site. But does it only come in 4matic?

[chumley]

Originally Posted by Swizzie7

Interior is sexy

No kidding. I've never been a fan of the trend towards "stuck-on" nav but no matter how much BMW kool-aid you're drinking, you can't possibly argue that the current 3/4 is a nicer place to be.

I've never given most Merc's a second look but I'll give props for at least differentiating the line. This is a obviously nicer that the current C, but it's a huge step up from the CLA. BMW seems to stuff pretty much the same switch gear in everything from the 1/x1 to through the 4. To be honest, even alot of what you touch and feel in the X5/5 are not leaps better.

If they offered a manual this would be my next car. I still may take a look.

[TheBingoBalls]

I'm actually more excited for the W205 than I was for the F30. I think it has to do with the fact that Mercedes changed a lot more from it's predecessor than the F30 did to the E9X. I can't wait to test drive one of these.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by chumley

No kidding. I've never been a fan of the trend towards "stuck-on" nav but no matter how much BMW kool-aid you're drinking, you can't possibly argue that the current 3/4 is a nicer place to be.

That stuck-on nav is not nice ... it looks clip on.

I'll also say that I was cross-shopping the SLK55 vs the F8x - in pictures I thought the SLK interior was fantastic and I was a huge fan of the "stormtrooper" designo look ... it had me sold vs the f8x. Then I saw it in person and it felt very ersatz. If this new Benz is similar I'm not a fan. The new F8x is FAR superior - it feels really luxurious vs Benz.

Benz pictures are great, IRL not so much. Here are the pics:

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

It may just be the mobile site. But does it only come in 4matic?

initially it only comes in 4matic. early next year it comes in rwd

[Sedoy]

Do I read this right? New MBs got illuminated star logo...?

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Do I read this right? New MBs got illuminated star logo...?

Yeah it's a standalone option. At first I thought it was cool but thought how pretentious (not in a good way) it would look at night just having the illuminated star logo.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

It may just be the mobile site. But does it only come in 4matic?

For now. RWD models will come early next year.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

That stuck-on nav is not nice ... it looks clip on.

I'll also say that I was cross-shopping the SLK55 vs the F8x - in pictures I thought the SLK interior was fantastic and I was a huge fan of the "stormtrooper" designo look ... it had me sold vs the f8x. Then I saw it in person and it felt very ersatz. If this new Benz is similar I'm not a fan. The new F8x is FAR superior - it feels really luxurious vs Benz.

Benz pictures are great, IRL not so much. Here are the pics:

The F8x will be a C63 AMG 'vert rival. NOT ther SLK which has been out for a couple years now. The SLK55 is more along the lines of the Z435iS

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Rev ///Me

The F8x will be a C63 AMG 'vert rival. NOT ther SLK which has been out for a couple years now. The SLK55 is more along the lines of the Z435iS

Sure, but of course there's no C63 'vert right now so it was the closest thing.

But, yeah, I agree with the Z4 comparo however maybe for a different reason: The SLK55 should be a monster given it has its own ("bespoke!") V8 designed specially for the car. the slk should be the worlds best (only?) roadster muscle car ... thus making the Z4 look like a sad propped up rival. on paper at least.

The reality of the two cars couldn't be more opposite - the SLK feels cheap, boring and slow. You can't even hear the engine that much. And it doesn't feel small-cool or small-agile it feels small-stupid.

The Z4 on the other hand feels special and it's fast.

Benz blew it with the SLK55 and it's almost like they know it since you NEVER hear about it and the community is pretty small.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Sure, but of course there's no C63 'vert right now so it was the closest thing.

But, yeah, I agree with the Z4 comparo however maybe for a different reason: The SLK55 should be a monster given it has its own ("bespoke!") V8 designed specially for the car. the slk should be the worlds best (only?) roadster muscle car ... thus making the Z4 look like a sad propped up rival. on paper at least.

The reality of the two cars couldn't be more opposite - the SLK feels cheap, boring and slow. You can't even hear the engine that much. And it doesn't feel small-cool or small-agile it feels small-stupid.

The Z4 on the other hand feels special and it's fast.

Benz blew it with the SLK55 and it's almost like they know it since you NEVER hear about it and the community is pretty small.

The SLK55 has received favorable reviews but it's not a car that gets a lot of attention. In many ways, it is viewed as a "chick" car (small, two-seat convertible). I don't necessarily share that opinion.

The motor is actually the 5.5L biturbo in the E63 (and other models), minus the turbos.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

The SLK55 has received favorable reviews but it's not a car that gets a lot of attention. In many ways, it is viewed as a "chick" car (small, two-seat convertible). I don't necessarily share that opinion.

The motor is actually the 5.5L biturbo in the E63 (and other models), minus the turbos.

The engine also runs a higher compression amongst other changes... On paper it sounds great, just not IRL. And they bolt it to the world's oldest sport transmission. The car is really a huge let down... A roadster with a huge v8?? It should be awesome

The sl63 adds the design of two totally different teams - one front, one rear.

I dunno what's going on at benz but it ain't good

[SaMaster14]

Looks gorgeous! $60k for a C400 fully loaded 329hp/354tq with a V6 biturbo!

Honestly a bit pricey for a non AMG... but I'm sure it's gonna give my 335is a run for its money!

[Mike00]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

Looks gorgeous! $60k for a C400 fully loaded 329hp/354tq with a V6 biturbo!

Honestly a bit pricey for a non AMG... but I'm sure it's gonna give my 335is a run for its money!

Car prices are going to take a jump with the next generation. Right now the S3 is $48k loaded. I expected the S4 next gen will be $65k loaded.

Looking across every major manufacturer it looks like we can expect 3-8k in price increases.

[danniexi]

saw one passing by the local MB dealership. looked understated, yet handsome. i liked it. the baby bastard child between the S-class and E-class.

i just can't wait to see the C63. It'll be a tough choice between the AMG and the F80 M3.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by danniexi

saw one passing by the local MB dealership. looked understated, yet handsome. i liked it. the baby bastard child between the S-class and E-class.

i just can't wait to see the C63. It'll be a tough choice between the AMG and the F80 M3.

For me it'll need:

(1.) Better interior design, better materials, better software

(2.) A decent dual-clutch

(3.) Better chassis

And if they're really working at it ... get a better Euro delivery experience: new building like the Welt and/or allow US-customer deliveries in Affalterbach with your engine tech present! Or, like porsche, allow a track day on ED

Benz seems to be consistently behind BMW, Audi & Porsche on these things.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

For me it'll need:

(1.) Better interior design, better materials, better software

(2.) A decent dual-clutch

(3.) Better chassis

And if they're really working at it ... get a better Euro delivery experience: new building like the Welt and/or allow US-customer deliveries in Affalterbach with your engine tech present! Or, like porsche, allow a track day on ED

Benz seems to be consistently behind BMW, Audi & Porsche on these things.

Erm, the W205 interior/materials blows the F3x/F8x's out of the water.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Sure, but of course there's no C63 'vert right now so it was the closest thing.

But, yeah, I agree with the Z4 comparo however maybe for a different reason: The SLK55 should be a monster given it has its own ("bespoke!") V8 designed specially for the car. the slk should be the worlds best (only?) roadster muscle car ... thus making the Z4 look like a sad propped up rival. on paper at least.

The reality of the two cars couldn't be more opposite - the SLK feels cheap, boring and slow. You can't even hear the engine that much. And it doesn't feel small-cool or small-agile it feels small-stupid.

The Z4 on the other hand feels special and it's fast.

Benz blew it with the SLK55 and it's almost like they know it since you NEVER hear about it and the community is pretty small.

You think the z4 feels special and fast?

[VMRWheels]

Interior is pretty impressive. I almost picked up a newer MB solely because of the interior.. then I test drove the BMW. The rest was history haha

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Wolfinwolfsclothing

You think the z4 feels special and fast?

More than the SLK55? Definitely.